Child Injuries and Sports: Know What to Do if Your Child Gets Hurt
Sports are a great way for children to learn teamwork, get fit, and burn extra energy. However, today’s sporting events are becoming increasingly hard-hitting, leading to severe injuries at all levels. Child injuries and sports are common. Take steps to protect your child by letting an experienced personal injury attorney help. Contact our Brooklyn, NY practice so attorney Gary A. Zucker can review your case.
Types of Child Injuries from Sports
As children begin school and start participating in extracurricular activities, some of the most popular activities are sports related. Football, baseball, volleyball, and soccer are among the top sports played by children across the country, and these are some of the injuries reported by parents:
- Bruising
- Sprains, strains, and broken bones
- Concussions
- Lacerations and cuts
- Bone fractures
- Bone and joint dislocation
- Torn ligaments and tendons
Some of these injuries are minor, while others can require surgery or extensive rehabilitation. In either case, parents are entitled to seek compensation for the damages associated with a sports-related injury to their child.
How to Prevent Injury to a Child in Sports
The first step to preventing an injury is knowing the cause. Sport-related injuries can be the result of physical contact with another player or the misuse of equipment. It is important to teach children about the need for protective gear, such as helmets, padding, and face masks.
It is also critical to recognize the difference in size between children and make necessary adjustments so smaller children are not placed at risk by being pitted against a larger opponent. When children first begin a sport, they may all be close to the same size. But as growth spurts happen, changes in height and weight are inevitable. Taking into account the size and strength of your opponent helps to prepare for what type of precautions will help minimize the chance of an injury.
All of these components must be considered when attempting to prevent a sports-related injury in children.
Who Is Responsible for a Sports-related Injury in a Child?
An injury that takes place while participating in sports is a personal injury, thus the concepts of personal injury law are applicable. Injuries caused intentionally are the responsibility of the party intentionally inflicting the damage.
Injuries brought about by a negligent act are the responsibility of the negligent party, which may be the school or organization for which your child plays a sport. These parties are responsible for giving children a safe place to play sports, and for providing the education needed to follow the rules of the game. If the organization does not meet this burden through an act or omission, an injury can result and the organization will be held responsible.
If the injury is due to a faulty or malfunctioning piece of safety equipment, it is possible to hold the manufacturer responsible for compensation for the injury.
Who to Call for Help
If your child has been hurt while playing a sport, attorney Gary A. Zucker can help you get the compensation you deserve. We specialize in personal injury matters, including injuries sustained by children when participating in a sporting event. To learn more about how we can help, contact us online or call us at (718) 624-1211.